Antifungal Activity of Three Desert Plants of Artemisia herb alba (Asso.), Pulicaria undulata L.and Gymnocarpos decandrus Against Phytopathogenic Fungi

The current study evaluated the antifungal potential of three desert plant extracts, i.e., Artemisia herb alba, Pulicaria undulata, and Gymnocarpos decandrusagainst soil-borne phytopathogenic fungi including Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Rhizoctonia solani. The study employed solvent extraction, MIC/MFC determination, enzyme activity assays, TEM analysis, and HPLC-based phytochemical profiling. Results demonstrated significant antifungal activity of tested extracts against tested fungi, particularly from A. herb alba, with MICs as low as 0.75 mg/mL. A. herb alba extract effected on secretion of F. oxysporumextracellular enzymes (protease and catalase) and caused malformations in morphology of F. oxysporum conidia and hyphae. Phytochemical studies indicated detection of phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids and high concentration of benzoic acids such as caffeic acid and ferulic acid in tested plants. The current work highlights the role of phenolic acids and flavonoids in antifungal mechanisms and suggests these plants as eco-friendly fungicides.